'Touristy' in Bangkok

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/125sec, f/4

 I am almost a backpacker type of traveler. This time around however, I am traveling as a 'full' tourist.  I'm with the 'kids' and friends who needs to be fully comfortable during the entire travel.

Departure from NAIA 3 and arrival at the Suvarnabhumi (pronounced as, su-wan-na-poom) airports were uneventful. My travel companions only realized the importance of the take-out Jolibee meal I forced each of them to bring before boarding the Cebu Pacific flight when they got hungry in the middle of the flight.  It was almost midnight when we arrived in Bangkok. 







Of temples and malls ...
Breakfast at the First House Hotel was buffet. As expected from a 3 star hotel, it was not of gastronomic proportion. It fills the stomach though.  This hotel was right in the middle of the two bargain shopping areas in Bangkok, the Pratunam Market and the Platinum Fashion Mall.  If you're in Bangkok to shop, this is the best hotel to stay in, price-wise and accessibility.  Right beside the hotel entrance is a money changer that gives the best conversion rate to the baht currency. A 7-11 store is nearby where i bought my Happy Sim-Card for 50 Baht. 

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/30sec, f/4

A half-day city tour is part of the package.  Pita, from the Saen Sabai Travel Agency, picked our group at the lobby at 7am.  Two or three more groups billeted at other hotels are still on the pick-up list.  The route to their hotels gave us the opportunity to see some other parts of downtown Bangkok.

First stop, Wat Traimit - The Temple of the Golden Buddha. 

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/2500sec, f/8

This is where you find the the biggest Buddha statue made out of gold in the whole world. It is estimated to be more that 700 years old.  This is one of the most visited temples in Bangkok, thus expect a crowd upon reaching there. Best time to come to this temple is right after opening at 8am or towards closing time at 5pm. Entry to the temple is free.

Trip suggestion : Besides the golden Buddha which is the highlight of Wat Traimit temple, are two nice exhibition that worth to see, the golden Buddha exhibition and the Chinatown, Yaowarat, Heritage Center. They are just below the floor where the Buddha is.  Note to dress appropriately.  You're entering a sacred place equivalent to our cathedrals.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/2500sec, f/8

Next stop, Wat Indrawihan - Temple of the Standing Buddha.  

This Buddha is the tallest of its kind in the world. This is one of the world records that Bangkok holds. In the temple complex, there is a temple with mural depicting the making of the big standing Buddha. There is a small building that has a collection of holy water around the world. 

The colorful lanterns adorning some part of the temple and the statue itself is a good backdrop for picture taking.  Entry to the temple is free.  It opens at 8am and closes at 5pm.

If you want to buy Bangkok's famed 'sambag', get it from the vendors selling outside the temple grounds. They're selling them at a lower price with free taste-test. 

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/5sec, f/4

Last stop was the jewelry store and museum. After the presentation in their AV room, the group went to the display areas, while I went out of the building to observe the activities around.  The store/museum sell high quality and authentic jewelry so you can be sure of your purchase. I just don't know if they are cheaper compared to other jewelry shops.

We requested to be dropped at the Platinum Fashion Mall where we had our lunch.  The food court here offers a wide variety of meals from Thai (spicy to hot) to Chinese (sweet to moderate-spicy) and others viands at reasonable prices.  Average meal here is around 50-70 baht. 

Most food courts in Bangkok has this re loadable card which you use to pay for your meal - a very convenient way of paying for ones food purchases.  Whatever load left can be refunded.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/30sec, f/4

The rest of the day was spent shopping at the Platinum Fashion Mall. It's a 3-story building selling fashion items from A to Z at bargain prices. If you plan to buy wholesale, do it at the Pratanum Market instead, just across the mall.  Prices there can go to half from the ones in the mall.  The mall is also a good place to buy your souvenir items. As always, HAGGLE for the prices.


Of James Bond, Elephants and Snakes ...
I booked through another agency for the Floating Market, Elephant and Show tour and the Rose Garden Cultural Show.  Filco Travel and Tours, Ltd. was recommended to me by a friend based in Bangkok. She knows the owner personally.  They are also cheaper by around 25% compared to the other agencies offering the same package.  Its a joining tour type, meaning other tourist will be joining.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/125sec, f/13

We started early, around 6 am. The travel from Bangkok to Damnoen Saduak is almost 1.5 hours. I would strongly suggest that you experience the floating markets first thing in the morning. Be there early to catch all the 'authentic' action. Everything that happens after 9am on the water, is only an act for the tourists. Also remember to hire one of the smaller long-tail boats, otherwise you will be restricted as to where you can go at the market.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/400sec, f/8

 

We went to the to the market through the canals of Bangkok on board the famed 'James Bond' boat.  This was this motorized boat used by Roger Moore in one of the James Bond film where there was this chase in the rivers of Bangkok.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/80sec, f/8

I got a few wooden decors from one of the shops.  My companions bought shirts for 'pasalubong'. This is also a good place to shop. Bottom line, is to haggle for the prices.



 










After the market, the group headed back towards the city.  We stopped at a snake farm where there was a short show.  I have never been keen to snakes so i just stayed on the sidelines as my companions shriek to their hearts content especially when the cobras were brought near the audience.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/60sec, f/5.6

Lunch was at the restaurant in the elephant and crocodile compound. It was buffet.  A fusion mostly of oriental and Thai food.  We ate the fastest we can in time for the elephant show.  The grandstand was already filled to the rafters when we arrived.  The show was about to start.  I would not detail here anymore the elephant show so you can experience it yourselves. Suffice it to say, both the young and young-at-heart wore wide smiles when it was over.  All got the chance to pet these gentle giants and pose for souvenir pictures.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/640sec, f/8

Our group skipped the crocodile show and headed to the nearby rose garden where a cultural show was about to take place.  Most were dances from the various cultural group of Thailand.  The show ended with the parade of nations where each dancers was carrying a flag from the various nations of the world.  If you have kids with you, skip the cultural show. They may get bored.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/10sec, f/8

We head back to the hotel all ready to take a good rest after a full days wandering in the outskirts of Bangkok.  After a quick dinner in one of the malls nearby, everyone was ready to retire to their respective rooms for a good night sleep.

Shopping ... departure ...
Shopping around the Pratunam market was the order of the day.  The group decided to go around the market for last minute shopping of RTW and 'pasalubong'.  Pratunam is very similar to the Divisoria in Manila.  Our airport pickup wont be until 7pm that day so the ladies had a full day of shopping and using all of their remaining Baht.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/13sec, f/6.3

For myself I went to a nearby mall housing all technology related shops.  From computers to game consoles to appliances - a good 4 floors of them.  There isnt much big difference between their prices and the ones back home.  Their main advantage is the variety of items in one place.  I just got myself a few flash drives. 

Back at the hotel lobby i found my companions busy weighing their baggage. Excess baggage will be charge in Baht, so it can get expensive. I learned that their will still be a 'final' shopping at the airports duty-free!







Another convenience with a package tour is a no-frills airport transfer.  The travel from the hotel to the airport was comfortable and relaxing.  After check-in and immigration, the ladies were back in their element - shopping. A picture here and there also took place for souvenir purposes.  
 

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/60sec, f/6.3

As for me, i just checked out the shops around the duty-free.  Chocolates, as expected were cheap, almost at bargain prices. Hershey and Cadburry products were on sale in one of the shops, so i have to bring the attention of my companions to get their sweets from that store. Souvenir items are best bought outside coz they can be cheaper by 100%.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 1/125sec, f/6.3

Whether in a tour group or on back-pack, Bangkok simply never ceases to amaze any visitor to the place.  I would be visiting it again soon, this time around on my own, no tour group or the likes. Its more fun and exciting.  Adventurous!